◥ MANDURAH FORUM SHOPPING CENTRE EXPANSION

Client: Vicinity Centres and ISPT Pty Ltd

Area/Location: Mandurah

Cost: Approximately $250 million

The approval of the expansion at Mandurah Forum Shopping Centre will see a significant improvement in the centre’s appearance and retail offer, along with major road upgrades funded by a joint venture involving the City of Mandurah, Main Roads WA and Vicinity Centres.

Mandurah Forum Shopping Centre forms part of the Mandurah Strategic Metropolitan Centre. The Centre is approximately 39,000m2, approximately 65km south-west of Perth.

Rowe Group was appointed by Vicinity Centres to obtain the planning approval for the expansion of the Mandurah Forum Shopping Centre from the City of Mandurah and Department of Planning.

The key elements of the expansion include an increase in the amount of floorspace by approximately 33,000m2, increased parking provision, improved pedestrian access, road and intersection improvements, outdoor eating and entertainment uses.

The proposed development represents a continuation of Vicinity Centres’ substantial investment in retail centres within Western Australia.

Rowe Group were able to successfully negotiate an outcome whereby the timeframes for obtaining a planning approval were significantly shortened.

With strong community support for the project, the City of Mandurah and the Department of Planning recommended that the Peel Joint Development Assessment Panel approve the expansion. Approval was granted in April 2015. As with other retail projects Rowe Group liaised with the City and Department in relation to the conditions of approval, so that agreement was reached prior to the meeting.

Construction has commenced with over 1000 workers on site and following the completion of construction, Mandurah Forum Shopping Centre is estimated to create in excess of 700 additional permanent jobs. The centre will also include Australia’s first new-format David Jones.

A road upgrade joint venture between the City of Mandurah, Main Roads WA and the Vicinity Centres will enable significant improvements to the major entrance to the City, along with the other roads adjacent to the centre.